Addicted to Cocaine Behavior Therapy

There are two main types of behavioral therapy that may be used to treat cocaine abuse:

Contingency Management:Contingency management uses a voucher-based system to give positive rewards for staying in treatment and remaining cocaine free. Based on drug-free urine tests, the patients earn points, which can be exchanged for items that encourage healthy living, such as joining a gym, or going to a movie and dinner.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:Cognitive behavioral therapy is a short-term, focused approach to helping cocaine-addicted individuals to stop using the drug. The underlying assumption is that learning processes play an important role in the development and continuation of cocaine abuse and dependence. These same learning processes can be employed to help an addicted individual reduce drug use. This approach attempts to help patients to recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations that are most likely to trigger cocaine use. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients to avoid these situations when appropriate, and cope more effectively with a range of problems and problematic behaviors often associated with drug abuse.